Salt River First Nation chief Frieda Martselos is now the fourth candidate to enter the race for South Slave's Thebacha district in October's territorial election.

The longtime chief announced her desire to win the legislative assembly seat in a letter sent to media Tuesday evening. She joins three other candidates vying for the seat, including: Louis Sebert, the incumbent and cabinet minister seeking a second term; Denis Yuhas, a former constituency assistant to the previous MLA, Michael Miltenberger; and Fort Smith publisher Don Jaque, who previously tried for the seat in 2015.

Her brief letter, addressed to residents of Fort Smith, states: "I believe Fort Smith needs a strong, proven leader with the skills and experience to achieve your mandate  -- a leader with compassion, excellent communication skills, and record of positive results."

Martselos told Salt River First Nation members and council in a letter dated Aug. 18 that she would be stepping down as chief Aug. 30.

Martselos was first elected chief in a by-election in 2007, enduring a bumpy ride on band council at least the first few years. After her win in 2007 she was ousted by band council a week later. She regained the job in 2008 after a court ordered her reinstated, and managed to return to office after two other attempts to remove her in 2013 and the following year.